The Central Sanctuary: Where and When?

Abstract

Deut 12:5(6-7) with its reference to the 'place which Yhwh will choose to place his name and make it dwell' as the designated site for Israel's sacrifices is widely viewed as a formulation of the 7th century which has in view the Jerusalem Temple and, for the first time, excludes (legitimate) sacrificial activity at any other place. Basing himself on both biblical and extrabiblical evidence, N. argues that the verse, employing as it does concepts (i.e., of the name as equivalent to the bearer's essential character and of the putting of one's name upon a place) attested in second millenium Near Eastern texts, may well derive from the Mosaic period. In addition, the intended referent is not as such Jerusalem (although this identification was made at a later time, i.e., by the redactor of Kings), but rather whatever site that might be housing the tabernacle at a given moment (e.g., Shiloh, see Jer 7:12-15).Finally, Deut 12:5 is not meant as an absolute prohibition of sacrifice anywhere other than at the site housing the tabernacle in a particular period. Rather, it leaves room for sacrifices elsewhere in response to theophanies and prior to battle of the sort amply attested in the Historical Books. [Abstracted by: Christopher T. Begg.]